Emmanuel Macron pledges new inflation-busting measures ahead of assembly elections

Meanwhile, a fuel price rebate worth 18 cents per litre will be extended through August

"Protection" has become a buzzword for French President Emmanuel Macron's government ahead of the vote.

French President Emmanuel Macron is banking on a new package of inflation-busting sweeteners for voters to secure a majority in legislative elections this month being fought over households' squeezed purchasing power.

With rampant inflation driving up the cost of living and eroding wages, President Macron is struggling to build on his re-election success, finding himself on the defensive against a left-wing alliance led by hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon.